- ENERGY EFFICIENCY JOBS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Executives with New Mexico's largest electric utility are touting energy efficiency, pointing to a recent report from a clean energy group that shows more than a quarter of energy sector jobs in the state are related to improving efficiency.Statistics compiled by the energy industry group E4TheFuture indicate New Mexico led all states with an 11.5% increase in energy efficiency jobs in 2018. Nevada followed with growth of just over 8%.
The group predicts the sector will show more growth by the end of 2019.
Most of these jobs are in the construction industry and involve the design and installation of improved heating and cooling systems.
PNM Resources, the parent company of Public Service Co. of New Mexico, says the report solidifies that the energy workforce is woven throughout New Mexico's economy.
- FARMINGTON POLICE-EXCESSIVE FORCE
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — A northwestern New Mexico police officer shown on a lapel video roughing up an 11-year-old middle school girl has resigned.Farmington police announced Sunday that officer Zachary Christensen stepped down after an internal use-of-force investigation was launched following the Aug. 27 episode.
The lapel video shows Christensen throwing the 6th-grade student on the ground after accusing her of talking more pints of milk than allowed from the cafeteria. The video also shows school employees pleading with Christensen not to use excessive force.
Farmington Police Chief Steven Hebbe says the use of force did not comply with department standards.
The case has been referred to the New Mexico State Police for possible criminal charges.
It was not known of Christensen had an attorney. No phone number for Christensen was listed.
- MEOW WOLF-CEO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The CEO of a New Mexico-based startup company for immersive art installations known as Meow Wolf is stepping downThe Santa Fe New Mexican reports 36-year-old CEO Vince Kadlubek announced Friday he was stepping down but would remain on the company's payroll as an executive adviser to the leadership team.
He described the move as a new phase in his career.
Kadlubek hinted in a website post the move might be temporary. He says he plans to take time to recharge and hone his skills as a leader and collaborator "in hopeful preparation for returning as CEO in the future."
Meow Wolf rose to prominence with an interactive exhibit in a converted Santa Fe bowling alley that combines psychedelic design work with narrative storytelling.
- DEADLY PLANE CRASH
ANGEL FIRE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a Kansas couple has been killed in a plane crash in New Mexico.Fire officials in the town of Angel Fire said in a Facebook post that the plane went down Sunday morning in a field between a restaurant and hardware store. Fire officials identified the victims as 65-year-old Richard Schenk and Anne Schenk, of Great Bend.
The post described Richard Schenk as an experienced commercial-rated pilot. He was chief executive officer of Community Bank of the Midwest in Great Bend.
The cause of the crash hasn't been determined. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
Angel Fire is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Taos.
- UNM-BLOWING DUST
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A University of New Mexico law student is suing the school and a construction company for kicking up dust.KRQE-TV reports Zacary Wilson-Fetrow this month filed a lawsuit in Albuquerque District Court over public nuisance and negligence in connection with construction around the law school.
Wilson-Fetrow says dust from construction caused a terrible rash and respiratory problems. He says students were never given prior warning about construction.
Wilson-Fetrow is seeking around $400,000 in damages.
The University of New Mexico declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Wilson-Fetrow is representing himself.
- ALBUQUERQUE-FATAL SHOOTING
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police in Albuquerque are investigating a robbery that's believed to be tied to an overnight fatal shooting.Police say 21-year-old Cayla Campos and her boyfriend witnessed a robbery being committed near Bianchetti Park on Saturday night.
When Campos tried to leave the scene, police say multiple shots were fired into her vehicle.
Campos crashed into a nearby residence after she was struck in the back of the head.
Police say the woman was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
Authorities say they're still looking for the shooter.
- WITNESS KILLED
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police say a 21-year-old woman was shot and killed as she tried to drive away from an area near an Albuquerque park where she witnessed a late-night robbery.A police spokesman said in an email late Saturday that Cayla Campos had been playing Pokémon Go with her boyfriend the previous night when she and others saw a robbery of people seated in another vehicle.
Police say she attempted to drive away when she was struck by gunfire and crashed into a home.
Police say they are seeking the public's help to identify suspects and victims of the robbery at the park, which involved a silver four-door sedan and a red car.
- ALBUQUERQUE POLICE SHOOTINGS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police video shows a 57-year-old man who was shot and killed by officers in August lying on the ground at a bus stop as officers initially approached him.In video released Friday, officers ordered Roger Shafer to lie on his stomach and keep his hands from his waistband where he appeared to have a handgun. Instead, he lifted himself onto a bench to take a seat and placed his hand on his waist.
Police say one officer initially shot a rubber bullet at Shafer, then three officers fired their weapons at him. Shafer's weapon turned out to be a BB gun. He died at the scene.
Police say officers went to the bus stop in response to reports that a man was pointing a gun at passing vehicles.